Planning Services
Newsletter
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Mission Statement
To advance a long range vision of a livable, equitable, sustainable, beautiful, and prosperous DeKalb County through the implementation of adopted plans, policies, and partnerships.
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Community Council 1 -- 08/20/25 @ 5:30 PM | Zoom
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Community Council 2 -- 08/12/25 @ 6:30 PM | Zoom
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Community Council 3 -- 08/13/25 @ 6:00 PM | Zoom
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Community Council 4 -- 08/19/25 @5:30 PM | Zoom
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Community Council 5 -- 08/11/25 @ 6:30 PM | Zoom
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Zoning Board of Appeals -- 08/13/25 @ 1:00 PM | Zoom
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Historic Preservation Committee -- 08/18/25 @ 6:00 PM | Zoom
| | | Now Online - The Data Center Text Amendment! | | |
Throughout the Atlanta metro area, there has been a sharp increase in data center development. While data centers provide necessary infrastructure for the modern world, DeKalb County is seeking to ensure that the significant land, energy, and water consumption by these facilities does not negatively impact the community.
This ordinance will add data centers as a use in industrial areas and regulate their location, design, and provide supplemental review standards. You can read the draft ordinance here, and a summary on the project page.
| | Shaping Embry Hills Through Arts, Culture, and Community Input | |
Embry Hills and Presidential Parkway Arts & Culture Plan
The Embry Hills and Presidential Parkway Small Area Plan is a study sponsored by DeKalb County seeking to strengthen this area’s unique identity through public art and culture.
We would love to hear from you! The project team, alongside Commissioner Patrick and Decide DeKalb, hosted a Business-Focused Community Design Meeting on Monday, July 28th at Mediterranean Bakery (3362 Chamblee Tucker Road). Members of the public shared their input on how they envision the future of the Embry Hills and Presidential Parkway area.
Learn more about the project and take the online survey (closes soon!)
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Aprell King
Planner
Email
| | Shape the Future of the DeKalb Stone Mountain Trail | |
Stone Mountain Trail Masterplan
DeKalb County is conducting the Stone Mountain Trail Master Plan, which will analyze a segment of the trail and adjacent areas between Avondale Estates and Stone Mountain Park.
The Stone Mountain Trail Master Plan Open House will be held on Monday, September 5th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The open house will be located at the Tobie Grant Recreation Center (593 Parkdale Dr, Scottdale, GA 30079).
Save the date!
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Tricia Prevost
Senior Planner
Email
| | Current Planning / Zoning | |
| | Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordinance | Project Manager: Yvonne Trammell | The Short-Term Rental ordinance was approved on July 24, 2025. The ordinance will not go into effect for 180 days (January 20, 2026). Information on the ordinance and the next steps will be available on Engage DeKalb Short-Term Rentals: DeKalb County | Engage DeKalb. Please continue to monitor Engage DeKalb for important dates as they become available. | | | | | | |
Project Manager: LaSonji Marshall
Co-Project Manager: Eva Chauveau
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The DeKalb Community Academy’s Columbia Community 101 held its final public meeting in June. We are so glad to have been able to speak with and engage with the Columbia community and learn from each other.
Our team is preparing the next steps, including the next community we will be targeting with this initiative. Stay tuned for updates!
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DeKalb County Comprehensive Housing Plan
There is some exciting news regarding the DeKalb County Comprehensive Housing Plan! The Board of Commissioners has approved the proposal for the project on July 22nd, 2025.
Read the original announcement here!
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Scraplanta
Teachers, parents, and students—As you prepare to return to school, consider purchasing supplies at Scraplanta, a creative re-use center that specializes in pre-loved art supplies such as fabric, classroom/office supplies, containers, glue, paint, paper crafting material, books, and magazines. Visit any of their three locations for school supplies at a fraction of the retail price—and help keep these items out of the landfill!
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Recycle Right
Taking recyclables to the curb or to a drop-off collection center in a plastic bag? Take items out of the bag before recycling.
Bagged recyclables get tangled around gears and machines that sort and process recyclables. Workers must remove items like bags by hand. This costs time and money.
Let’s sort this out! Only place loose recyclables in collection containers. Take plastic bags to drop off locations, (participating grocery stores, home improvement stores, or large retail chains) for recycling.
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Spotted Lanternfly and the Tree-of-Heaven:
The spotted lanternfly, a destructive and invasive species, has been spotted in the metro area. These insects feed on the sap of over 70 different plant species, including maples, oaks, walnuts, pines, fruit trees, and grapevines, and they can devastate our native trees and crops. This insect is closely associated with another invasive species, the Tree-of-Heaven. To help keep these invasive species at bay, it is recommended to remove this tree to discourage spotted lanternflies. Read this article from Trees Atlanta to learn more about what you can do to help protect our local forests!
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Our Front Yard Tree Program is an opportunity for DeKalb homeowners to add shade and beauty to their yard, at no cost to the homeowner. Our partner, Trees Atlanta, provides advice on species selection and the best location for the tree, and will deliver and plant the tree.
Click here to fill out an application for a front yard tree!
| | | Project Manager: Nicole Marchant | |
Explore planning and transportation initiatives, as well as key demographics of our census tracts in our new platform DeKalb Community Atlas.
Available maps and data include a Permit and Application tracker, SPLOST Projects, Community profiles, Housing and Income Statistics, Economics, and more.
Feedback is greatly appreciated. Comments can be submitted on the DeKalb Community Atlas "Comments and Feedback" tab.
| |  | Project Manager: Nicole Marchant | |
Engage DeKalb is Planning and Sustainability's community engagement platform!
With Engage DeKalb, community members can actively participate by taking part in surveys, sharing ideas, and staying up to date with ongoing projects in the community.
Some current projects include Short Term Rentals Text Amendment, Special Event Facilities Text Amendment, Global City-Memorial Drive Community Revitalization Plan, and more!
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Thank you for your time with our team!
Our team is sadly saying farewell to our summer planning intern! Amari Williams has been working with the Planning Services Division since June of this year as part of her Internship program at Kennesaw State University (KSU). During her time with our team, Amari has conducted research regarding planning trends, DeKalb County History, and more!
While we are sad to see Amari go, we look forward to her future endeavors.
| | | Paige Jennings (Historic Preservation Senior Planner) taking Amari Williams (Intern) to a Briarcliff Mansion Site Visit. | | |
About Amari
Amari Williams is a rising senior at Kennesaw State University, majoring in Political Science with plans to earn a certificate in Geographic Information Systems before graduation. Following undergraduate studies, Amari intends to pursue a dual master’s degree in City and Regional Planning and Architecture at Georgia Tech. With a passion for creating sustainable, affordable, and walkable communities, Amari is committed to addressing health disparities and fostering a sense of camaraderie within neighborhoods.
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Congratulations on the Promotion!
The Current Planning Division is proud to announce that Rachel Bragg is their new Current Planning Manager! Rachel Bragg has been with DeKalb County since 2020, starting as the Historical Preservation Senior Planner for the Current Planning Division. She was promoted to Planning Administrator in 2022, and through her continued dedication and hard work, has achieved the esteemed position of Planning Manager.
Our team is excited to continue serving DeKalb County under Rachel Bragg's leadership.
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